MGM Resorts International Announces Agreement With bwin.party

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) today announced an online poker agreement with bwin.party digital entertainment plc (LSE: BPTY) that brings together one of the most highly respected land-based gaming operators in the U.S. with the world's largest publicly-traded online gaming company.  

Although online poker is currently prohibited in the U.S., Congress is considering proposals that could legalize it within a framework of federal regulation. Should such legislation be enacted, bwin.party and MGM Resorts would offer, subject to regulatory approval, an online platform that employs leading technologies and processes to ensure the integrity of the game and the security of player accounts and information.

A technologically-advanced and proven online poker platform would offer players a safe, secure and fair gaming environment. Such a platform would also address problem and underage gambling as well as protect against illegal activities such as money laundering.

bwin.party is a recognized global leader in online poker, principally through its PartyPoker brand, with a proven record of developing proprietary technologies that are of the highest standards. It also has a well-established reputation for developing and implementing best practices, particularly with respect to responsible gaming and game security and integrity.

MGM Resorts is among the largest publicly-held gaming companies in the U.S., with 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi, and Michigan, and 50% investments in three other properties in Nevada and Illinois.

"MGM has long been supportive of Federal legislation to strengthen UIGEA and provide the needed regulations and consumer protections for online poker," said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International.  "MGM is proud to have bwin.party as our partner as they have the assets and experience that, combined with our brands, can ensure a secure, fair and entertaining online poker experience."

The companies further noted that decades of operating successfully in strictly regulated environments have shown that effective regulation must be the cornerstone of the gaming industry as they position themselves for a possible move into legitimate online gaming.

"As leaders in the industry, we are confident in our ability to deliver a safe gaming experience of the highest regulatory integrity with brands consumers have grown to know and trust over many decades," said Jim Ryan, Co-CEO of bwin.party.

About bwin.party

bwin.party digital entertainment plc is the world's largest publicly-traded online gaming company, formed from the merger of bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming Plc on 31 March 2011.  The Company is incorporated, licensed and regulated in Gibraltar and also holds online gaming licences in France and Italy.  bwin.party operates www.PartyPoker.com, one of the world's largest online poker networks, and owns the World Poker Tour, which is based in the U.S.  bwin.party's shares (LSE: BPTY) are a constituent member of  the FTSE 250 Index and the FTSE4Good Index Series of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. For more information about bwin.party, please visit www.bwinparty.com. 

About MGM Resorts International

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a peerless portfolio of destination resort brands, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage.  In addition to its 51% interest in MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino, the Company has significant holdings in gaming, hospitality and entertainment, owns and operates 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has 50% investments in three other properties in Nevada and Illinois. One of those investments is CityCenter, an unprecedented urban resort destination on the Las Vegas Strip featuring its centerpiece ARIA Resort & Casino. Leveraging MGM Resorts' unmatched amenities, the M life loyalty program delivers one-of-a-kind experiences, insider privileges and personalized rewards for guests at the Company's renowned properties nationwide. Through its hospitality management subsidiary, the Company holds a growing number of development and management agreements for casino and non-casino resort projects around the world. MGM Resorts International supports responsible gaming and has implemented the American Gaming Association's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its gaming properties. The Company has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative, its community philanthropy programs and the Company's commitment to sustainable development and operations. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

Statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements involving risks and/or uncertainties, including those described in the company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We have based forward-looking statements on management's current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential legalization of online poker and the agreement between MGM Resorts International and bwin.party. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include effects of economic conditions and market conditions in the markets in which we operate, competition with other destination travel locations throughout the United States and the world, the design, timing and costs of expansion projects, risks relating to international operations, permits, licenses, approvals, and other contingencies in connection with growth in new or existing jurisdictions and addition risks and uncertainties described in our form 1-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those reports).  In providing forward-looking statements, the Company is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE MGM Resorts International